Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "break off" has several distinct meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use, from physically snapping something to ending relationships or stopping activities.
To separate a part from a whole by force, often with a clean break.
General verb for snapping something long and thin, like a stick or a pencil. Transitive.
I broke off a branch.
Intransitive counterpart of 折る; something snaps or breaks off by itself.
枝が折れた。
The branch broke off.
To twist or wrench off, often used for fruits or parts attached firmly.
リンゴをもぎ取った。
I broke off an apple (from the tree).
To chip or break off a small piece, often used for edges of hard objects.
茶碗の縁を欠いた。
I chipped the rim of the teacup.
To suddenly or formally end a romantic relationship, engagement, or agreement.
General term for breaking up with a romantic partner.
彼氏と別れた。
I broke off with my boyfriend.
Formal phrase for breaking off an engagement.
彼は婚約を破棄した。
He broke off the engagement.
To sever a relationship, often used for personal or business ties.
彼とは関係を断った。
I broke off relations with him.
Colloquial expression for cutting ties, often with a negative or decisive nuance.
To suddenly stop talking, laughing, or an activity in the middle.
Simple and natural way to say stop doing something abruptly.
彼は話を急にやめた。
He broke off his story abruptly.
To stop in the middle of something.
会話を途中でやめた。
I broke off the conversation midway.
Formal term for interrupting or suspending an activity.
交渉を中断した。
They broke off negotiations.
To detach something that is attached, often by pulling or hitting.
To wrench off, as with a door handle or a piece of machinery.
ドアの取っ手をもぎ取った。
I broke off the door handle.
To break off by bending, often used for branches or protruding parts.
木の枝を折り取った。
I broke off a tree branch.
折る is transitive (someone breaks something), while 折れる is intransitive (something breaks). Use 折る when you do the action, and 折れる when it happens by itself or you want to avoid mentioning the agent.
Avoid directly translating 'break off' into Japanese as a single verb. The appropriate expression depends heavily on context: physical snapping, ending relationships, or stopping activities all use different words.
We broke off with that company.